Building Resilient Major Gifts: Strategies for Sustainable Fundraising

In this episode of the Fundraising Everywhere podcast, host Simon Scriver is joined by Andy Milligan, Managing Director at Veritus Group, to deep dive into the world of major gifts fundraising. Together, they explore practical strategies for building resilient major gifts programs, balancing donor relationships with organisational pressures, and maintaining motivation in the face of rejection. Andy shares his journey from in-house fundraiser to consultant, offering actionable advice on qualifying donors, creating sustainable plans, and communicating impact authentically. Whether you’re new to major gifts or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with insights, real-world examples, and encouragement for fundraisers at every level. Want to continue the conversation? Sign up to our FREE webinar on Tuesday, 25th November on Building Resilient Major Gifts: Strategy, Stability, and Sustainability Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

In this episode of the Fundraising Everywhere podcast, host Simon Scriver dives deep into the world of mentorship and professional development for fundraisers. Joined by special guests Laura Swan (Elischer Foundation), Jen Murgatroyd (Day One Trauma Support), and Lucy Squance (Elischer Foundation), the conversation explores the power of structured mentorship, the impact of the Elischer Foundation’s leadership program, and the personal journeys from mentee to mentor. Discover how mentorship can unlock potential, build confidence, and foster growth at every stage of a fundraising career. Hear candid stories about overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of chemistry in mentor-mentee relationships, and practical advice for anyone considering joining a mentorship program. Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

This podcast episode covers non-financial KPIs and other indicators to ensure a fundraiser is on the path to success, whilst pushing back against unrealistic targets and help us maximise our chances of raising philanthropic gifts in spite of the turbulence of raising money. Learn from speakers Kitty Hazell, Fundraising Consultant at MoneyTree Fundraising and Kevin Amponsah, Philanthropy Manager at The Children's Society.  Key learnings from this session: To feel confidence and empowered when having discourse around financial targets and the impact on you and your team Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Join Eoghan Beecher, County Manager UK & Ireland of iRaiser, as he discusses growing your individual giving digital product portfolio. Charities often produce an online donation page that suits all supporters, but asking engaged supporters to go through an entire first time donor process every time they wish to support can be impersonal, and create friction which leads to a poorer supporter experience. Understanding your audience and how they engage with you will indicate different experience and different expectations of what a excellent supporter experience is, which will indicate that different supporters benefit from products designed for them. From simply streamlining a second gift ask, to creating complex value exchange products, fundraising in a way that boosts relationships with donors will drive more revenue and result in a loyal supporter base. Understanding what a product is, or can be, is vital for this! Key learnings from this session: - Audience creation and management - Attribution and analytic - Product design - Media buying - Retention Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

In this special episode of the Fundraising Everywhere podcast, we celebrate a major milestone—reaching 100 organisational members! Join host Simon Scriver, Nikki Bell and Cam St-Omer Donaldson as they reflect on the journey from the very first member to a thriving community of changemakers. Discover the impact of organisational membership, the power of community, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or new to the sector, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical insights, and a look at what’s next for Fundraising Everywhere. Tune in and be part of the celebration! Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Welcome to the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast, today, we’ve got something a little bit different for you.  To celebrate our upcoming Culture and Change Conference coming up on Thursday 20th November, we’ve decided to hand the mic over to our guest host Rory White in this special series of episodes called 'It Started On The Street'. Rory will be chatting to some brilliant leaders in the charity sector and beyond about their journeys since they started their careers as dialogue fundraisers. "Welcome to this episode, where I’m joined by the brilliant and fascinating Murphy Hopkins Hubbard. Not only does Murphy have one of the most memorable names you’ll hear, she also has one of the most interesting career stories — and an inspiring vision for the future. She’s the founder of Stamp, a new organisation she launched just a few months ago. Stamp is pioneering a kind of B Corp model for influencers and social media creators — bringing accountability, ethics, and purpose into the online world. Murphy herself has a rich and varied background, and I found her thoughtful, insightful, and genuinely inspiring to talk to. I know you’ll enjoy this conversation as much as I did"

In this episode of the Fundraising Everywhere podcast, host Simon Scriver has a discussion with Cindy Wagman as shares her journey from traditional fundraising roles to embracing the flexibility and impact of fractional work. Discover how freelancers are reshaping the fundraising landscape, the unique challenges and opportunities of going fractional, and Cindy’s top tips for success in this dynamic field. Whether you’re a non-profit leader, a fundraising professional, or considering a freelance path, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration for thriving in the world of fractional fundraising. Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Welcome to the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast, today, we’ve got something a little bit different for you. To celebrate our upcoming recruitment and careers conference coming up on Thursday 20th November, we’ve decided to hand the mic over to our guest host Rory White in this special series of episodes called 'It Started On The Street'. Rory will be chatting to some brilliant leaders in the charity sector and beyond about their journeys since they started their careers as dialogue fundraisers. "Charlotte Forest began her fundraising career with Push, a well-known agency at the very start of face-to-face fundraising in the UK. After that, she moved to Gift, where she built a long and varied career — starting out as a fundraiser, then stepping up to team leader, and eventually managing multiple regions across the country. This gave her an incredible breadth of experience before she transitioned into the charity sector when Gift closed. Today, she’s Director of Income Generation at a hospice in Swindon. In our conversation, Charlotte shares how the resilience and skills she developed on the street shaped her career, and how those lessons continue to influence her work today. It’s a really insightful and enjoyable discussion — I think you’ll get a lot from it." You can learn more about our upcoming Fundraising Recruitment and Careers Conference happening on Thursday 20th November here If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Welcome to the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast, today, we’ve got something a little bit different for you. To celebrate our upcoming recruitment and careers conference coming up on Thursday 20th November, we’ve decided to hand the mic over to our guest host Rory White in this special series of episodes called 'It Started On The Street'. Rory will be chatting to some brilliant leaders in the charity sector and beyond about their journeys since they started their careers as dialogue fundraisers. "Jen Suter has a wealth of experience in face-to-face fundraising. She spent years working with Real and then a long stint at Urban Leaf, and she’s always been deeply passionate about the face-to-face market and the people in it. She’s now Head of Direct Engagement at Save the Children, where she works closely with a variety of agency partners, and she’s also recently taken on a role as Head of Charities at a new startup called Oddogo — all at the same time. Jen is a truly positive, inspiring person to talk to, and she’s a real advocate for everything face-to-face fundraising stands for. I really enjoyed this conversation, and I think you will too" You can learn more about our upcoming Fundraising Recruitment and Careers Conference happening on Thursday 20th November here If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Welcome to the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast, today, we’ve got something a little bit different for you. To celebrate our upcoming recruitment and careers conference coming up on Thursday 20th November, we’ve decided to hand the mic over to our guest host Rory White in this special series of episodes called 'It Started On The Street'. Rory will be chatting to some brilliant leaders in the charity sector and beyond about their journeys since they started their careers as dialogue fundraisers. "Ryan Valasapali’s story is a fascinating one. He came to Sheffield from India to study for an MBA — and when he arrived, the whole city was covered in snow. He’d never seen snow before, and it was quite a shock! Just three months into his new life in Sheffield, his dad — who had been helping support him financially — told him over the phone, ‘That’s it, son. No more money. You’re on your own now.’ So Ryan went out to find work, and that’s how he ended up joining Home Fundraising. His first week was tough, and he was ready to quit. In fact, he was on his last door of the day, planning to hand in his kit after that… but that final door completely changed everything for him. Seventeen years later, Ryan is back in India, living in Bangalore, working as a director at one of the country’s major fundraising agencies. I really enjoyed hearing his story — how that one pivotal moment shaped his whole career — and I think you will too." You can learn more about our upcoming Fundraising Recruitment and Careers Conference happening on Thursday 20th November here If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.